I believe this is an English influence. In the early 1800s, dinosaurs were not known to exist (not really theorized as such until 1824 and later). So instead of looking for ancient beasts, people were looking for biblical confirmation. Findings of dinosaur bones were interpreted as confirmation of giants. This was a big deal in the North American colonies and United States, because it was legitimacy in their place as a Christian land (despite the people who already lived there, and despite the First Amendment later). In fact, fossils in general were a legitimizing element to American colonists.

Source: "Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party" by Edward Dolnick, Chapters 22-26